Author: On Common Ground News

DEKALB COUNTY, GA— On Saturday, Feb. 5, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., at Indian Creek Elementary school in Clarkston, GA, over 300 kids and their family members will line up to become “Superheroes” by getting their COVID vaccines. Everyone getting a first, secondor booster shot ages 5 and up will get a $100 cash card. Students and staff are encouraged to bring their entire family to get vaccinated. It’s a groundbreaking and unique collaborative pilot program DeKalb County is rolling out with community partners that focuses on schools in low vaccination areas. “We want DeKalb to be the most vaccinated county in the…

Atlanta — To help some of the 2 million Georgia residents who live in food deserts, New Birth Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant and restaurateur Pinky Cole of Slutty Vegan will join PETA on Saturday to give out 300 Chik’n Head and PLT sandwiches, 500 cartons of JD’s Vegan ice cream donated by music producer Jermaine Dupri, and 1,000 vegan starter kits—packed with fresh produce, tofu, and more. This action marks the reopening of The King’s Table— New Birth’s food pantry program—and is part of PETA’s nationalfood justice campaign. When:  Saturday, February 5, 10 a.m. Where: New Birth, 6400 Woodrow Rd., Stonecrest “The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the glaring reality of food insecurities…

Photos By Glenn L. Morgan STONECREST—The Red Cross is assisting 21 families (37 people) who were displaced on Tuesday, Feb. 1, after a fire destroyed their homes at the Wesley Providence Apartment Homes, located near Klondike and Hayden Quarry roads in the city of Stonecrest. Capt. Jaeson Daniels, Public Information Officer for DeKalb County Fire Rescue, said the fire broke out at 2:20 p.m. in an apartment on the second floor and swept through the building, which contained 24 units. Daniels said fire investigators have not determined what caused the fire. The investigation, he said, is ongoing. “Thankfully, there…

Older cell phones, other devices + vehicles to be disabled during transition   ATLANTA– Attorney General Chris Carr is encouraging Georgia businesses and consumers to prepare for the complete shutdown of 3G technology as mobile networks transition to more advanced network services, including 5G coverage. “We understand that news of the 3G shutdown may have escaped the notice of many Georgians, but this is an important issue,” said Carr. “Service to certain older mobile devices will be disabled, including the ability to dial 911, some home security systems will no longer connect to their servers and some medical devices will…

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County and its contractors will continue the water meter replacement on Briarcliff Road, between Emory and Harvard Road, through Friday, Feb. 4, unless unforeseen circumstances arise. As crews connect the new water main, residents may experience periods of low, to no water pressure during the work hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. These planned outages are expected to last approximately one to four hours. Construction crews will work diligently to minimize the length of impact to residents. The work is being performed as a part of the annual water and sewer construction administered by the…

NORCROSS, GA—The Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO) will host a job fair on Feb. 5,10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Summerour Middle School, 321 Price Place N.W., Norcross.Job seekers will have an opportunity to meet regional employers hiring for full- and part-time positions. Job-seekers also will have a chance to connect with employers after the event. In addition to employers, a number of service providers will be at the event, offering help with mental health, food insecurity, homelessness, and healthy relationships.“Our local economy is booming but thousands of our neighbors remain sidelined by the pandemic in the search for…

Learn about how and why Gwinnett County Government operates the way it does by enrolling in the Gwinnett 101 Citizens Academy. The 12-week program gives participants an opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at County operations, meet County leaders, and tour County facilities. To be considered for the spring session, apply at Gwinnett101.com by Tuesday, March 1. Classes start Thursday, April 7 and will meet one evening per week. The Gwinnett Youth Commission, an eight-week summer leadership program for high school students, is also accepting applications through Friday, April 15.

DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs will receive $87,000 for capital improvements to two neighborhood parks, on behalf of its Friends of the Park partners. DeKalb County Commissioners Ted Terry and Larry Johnson and The Home Depot Foundation provided additional funding. The Park Pride Grant Program awards funding to community groups seeking to revitalize their neighborhood parks. Contributions were provided in part through Park Pride’s Community Building by The Home Depot Foundation. DeKalb Memorial Park will get a new playground, thanks to community partners. The Friends of DeKalb Memorial Park was awarded a $50,000 grant and it contributed an…